Minutes of the Meeting of February 28, 2008
State College, Pennsylvania
President: Diane Krivoniak (Westmoreland)
Vice President: Susan Kenny (M Monroe)
Secretary: David Blaner (Allegheny)
Members: Richard McCoy (PBI)
Carolyn Seibert-Drager (Franklin)
Jessica Engel (Lycoming)
Bruce D. Fleischer (Centre)
Wendy Hoffman (Chester)
Mary Beth Leeson (Northampton)
Barbara Kittrell (Berks)
Susan Kost (Schuylkill)
Elizabeth Kramer (PBA)
Alex Macdonald (PBI)
Roger Meilton (PBI)
Nevin Mindlin (PBA)
Don Morgan (Dauphin)
Becky Morgenthal (Cumberland)
Fran O’Rourke (PBA)
Jo Ellen Pastore (Lawrence)
Nancy Paul (Montgomery)
Elizabeth Price (Delaware)
Kathy Sabol (Washington)
Michelle Shuker (PBA)
Barry Simpson (PBA)
Evelyn E. Sullivan (Lancaster)
Cindy Van Laeys (York)
Dera Woelfing (Lebannon)
Lucy Wolf (Blair)
Guests: Dale McClain (PBA President-Elect)
Andy Susko (PBA President)
Terry Weiler (CCBL President)
Sponsors: Bob Cagna (USI Colburn)
Shelly Lawson (USI Colburn)
Sandy Niespodzianski (USI Colburn)
President Krivoniak called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.
WELCOME
President Krivoniak welcomed CCBL President Terry Weiler, PBA President Andy Susko and PBA President-Elect Dale McClain. Each person gave brief remarks and welcomed the members of the PABE to the CCBL and State College.
REVIEW OF THE NOVEMBER 2007 MINUTES
President Krivoniak reviewed the minutes as a reminder of the actions that the Board took at the last meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2007
The minutes were approved as submitted
TREASURER’s REPORT/Minutes
Mr. Blaner submitted the Treasurer’s Report: Balance in PABE account is $4,806.35;
CD investments total $10,079.19; balance of all assets as of February 25, 2008 is $14,885.54. Compared to the prior year, PABE has experienced an increase in our net assets of $2,207.26.
Mr. Blaner reported that he has obtained new signature cards for the account and will be transferring the checkbook and financial data to Mr. Shear.
RATIFY ACTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REGARDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PBA MID-YEAR MEETING AND CCBL.
President Krivoniak requested approval for reimbursement of a scholarship for her to attend the PBA Mid-Year Meeting and for Lynn SaSala’s attendance at the CCBL. The Executive Committee approved the scholarships and her request for ratification by the Board.
The Board approved both expenditures.
REPORTS
PBI UPDATE
Mr. Meilton introduced Alex Macdonald who is a new staff member; he worked at the Cleveland Bar Association prior to coming to PBI.
Mr. Meilton reported that PBI is using more technology to produce on-line programs. There is an increase in the use of on-line seminars.
The PBI has signed a lease for a conference center in Pittsburgh; the space is being renovated and should be open in the fall of 2008.
Mr. Meilton reported that he is retiring at the end of the year.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Mr. Mindlin reported that sales tax bill was defeated this past January; the PBA worked very hard to ensure the defeat of this legislation.
Mr. Mindlin also reported legal journals are still in good standing with the legislature. The PBA will continue to monitor any bills relating to legal advertising. The Title 15 Legislation is still pending and the PBA is working to get this legislation approved.
Mr. Mindlin reminded the PABE Members of the PBA Day on the Hill Program that is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2008. The PBA would like to have a good turnout from local bar associations. The Day on the Hill Program will be similar to the ABA Day on the Hill Program held each spring in Washington D.C. The morning sessions will be designed to help identify the issues and aid with prepare presentations to legislative leaders. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
The PBA Legislative Department is monitoring the following areas: Uniform Commercial Code, Lobbying Disclosure Act, Public Notice (Jury Pay).
Mr. Mindlin thanked everyone for their contributions to the PBA PAC.
PA CLE REPORT
President Krivoniak received a written report from Dan Levering concerning the PA CLE Board. The PA CLE Board is sponsoring a Providers Conference in Harrisburg on May 16, 2008.
99 percent of CLE providers report electronically
5 percent of CLE is provided on-line as of 2007
PBA UPDATE
Mr. Susko thanked the PABE for the opportunity to report on some of the activities of the PBA.
He is planning a Legislative Day on the Hill on May 5th. He wants the local bars to partner in developing a more effective grass roots program on the hill. The program would provide training on how to lobby and will offer white paper training. He thanked the local bars for their grass roots efforts to defeat the sales tax.
Mr. Susko reported he is making about one visit to a local bar each week. He encouraged the local bar executives to send dates to him for future events, if they would like to schedule a visit.
Mr. Simpson congratulated Ms. Morgenthal for her outstanding efforts as President of PABE and stated that he is looking forward to working with President Krivoniak
Mr. Simpson reported that the PA Insurance Trust has increased the pool of money for grants to local Bar Associations and he encouraged all local bars to submit grants. At this point, technology grants are evaluated more favorably by the Trust.
Mr. Simpson reported the PBA may need a modest dues increase in 2008/09 due to increased costs. No decision has been made at this time.
Barry also mentioned that the Public Relations Campaign will continue in the fall of 2008. They are still waiting for some responses from the local bar association as to their participation.
It was reported that the Law Policy Forum is scheduled for April 2008. This program will be held in Philadelphia. All of the Pennsylvania Law Schools have come together for this program and a great presentation is expected.
Sue Eder has been hired to oversee Education/Special Projects as well as Law Related Education.
Mr. Simpson reported that annual budget of the PBA Legislative Department is $400,000 annually. The PBA needs your financial support to maintain this important service.
The PBA Mid-Year Meeting will be held on St. Thomas in 2009. President Krivoniak encouraged PABE Members to attend this meeting.
The PBA Bike Tour is being held on May 17th. This is a joint event with the Dauphin and Cumberland County Bar Associations. Members can choose to ride different lengths of the tour.
Finally, the PBA is completing renovations to the PBA Headquarters. Mr. Simpson encouraged PABE Members to stop and visit the Headquaters the next time they are in Harrisburg.
HISTORY BOOK AND BYLAWS
Ms. Price reported the PABE history book and by-laws have been mailed to all PABE members. Each PABE member should receive the book next week.
PABE RETREAT
Ms. Leeson reported that she and Dan Labert are proposing that PABE meet in Bethlehem Pennsylvania during the MusikFest starting August 3, 2008 to Tuesday, August 5, 2008.
There was a show of hands for possible attendees. Thirteen (13) members planned to attend the Retreat. It was suggested that members consider attend the PABE Retreat and then continuing on to New York for the NABE Annual Meeting.
CONFERENCE OF COUNTY LEGAL JOUNRALS
Ms. Price reported on the history of the CCLJ. There is a small balance of funds in the CCLJ checking account. The last meeting of the organization was four years ago. Prior to the formation of PABE, the CCLJ was the reason that the group of bar officers and staff met.
There was a discussion about the need for a survey of advertising rates. After discussion and consideration, the group agreed that a survey should be undertaken.
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY LEGAL NOTICES
Ms. Paul reported on the Unclaimed Property Legal Notices that are scheduled to be published this spring in newspapers of general circulation and county legal journals.
Mid-Atlantic won the bid to place the UPLN. Mid-Atlantic is planning to publish the ads in the Philadelphia in March or April. They would like to publish the ads in the various legal journals in May and June 2008.
Ms. Paul reported that a representative of Mid-Atlantic may be calling the various editors of the legal journals in the next few months to discuss the rates for these ads. It was suggested that the Bar Associations charge legal notice rates for these ads because the Treasurer’s Office requires a proof of publication. It appears that Mid-Atlantic may ask each Bar Association to discount the regular legal notice rates for these ads because they have limited funds to cover the expense of all of the various ads.
Since Mid-Atlantic is placing the ads, they may ask that the County Legal Journal send them a bill for the ads. The net payment of the invoice should be 30 to 60 days.
NEW BUSINESS
OLD BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.